Water is Sacred at Esalen

Esalen has been considered a place of sacred waters for thousands of years. Here, three water sources converge to heal and nourish the web of all life. The canyon stream that cascades through the Esalen property is fed by a spring that provides us with water for our daily use. The hot springs are heated by the earth’s inner fires, and this water is a source of both healing and energy. The ocean here is pristine, wild, and remote. This section of the pacific coastline is a haven for wild life, including sea otters, birds, and fisheries.

This year at Esalen, we deepen our commitment to being exemplary stewards of the waters that flow through our land. As California, North America, and the world face an escalating water crisis, we recognize that all of us need to take responsibility for using this precious resource wisely, in a way that sustains us, the land, and future generations.

Esalen continuously seeks to embody its mission as an interactive educational institution dedicated to creating conditions for personal and societal transformational. By demonstrating a mindful approach to water usage, we hope to create a ripple of new water consciousness by inspiring the cultural change-makers who flow through Esalen.

Water Highlights for 2015

• Thanks to the commitment and ingenuity of the grounds and maintenance departments, 85% of the south side of our property as well as the areas around the Murphy house on the north side of property are using water that would otherwise spill directly into the ocean. First, using heat transfer technology, the extra hot springs water heats our pool, then it is irrigated throughout the landscape. This way, the water still returns to the ocean, but first re-cycles through our landscape, increasing the abundance and beauty of our grounds.
• The rebuild of the lodge will include cutting-edge cleaning systems in the kitchen that will significantly reduce water consumption and use 100% biodegradable detergents.
• Our farm and garden is committed to expanding systems for reducing water use, maximizing water catchment, and harnessing grey-water. Already, they are experimenting with using overflow hot springs water for production of food crops and have expanded their orchard in order to diversify food and reduce water usage. This year a focus on water will become a key educational component in the farm and garden internship and apprenticeship program.
• Our leading-edge “living machine” processes waste water from the Maslow guest units and from the laundry, a significant consumer of water on property. The system mimics tidal wetlands and uses natural biological process to treat black-water. The system is in the process of being updated and readied for expansion after the construction of the new lodge.
  
• Our Residential Education program is bringing in experts in wise water use this fall to increase awareness amongst staff, work scholars, extended students, and seminarians.
• The Gazebo School demonstrates water catchment and teaches children about the importance of water conservation and stewardship through experience based learning.
• In January 2015, as a part of our campus-wide eco-footprint project, we installed new water meters that will help us better understand and manage our complicated water flows.
• As a part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable procurement, we will review our purchasing practices to make sure that they are aligned with our values, particularly in terms of their effect on water systems.
• We are in the process of identifying additional areas where we can reduce and reuse water throughout the campus, such as towel reduction strategy, and expanded communication and signage highlighting wise-water practices.